Awareness

Every once in a while, life and its events get the better of us. Sometimes we let ourselves get bogged down in the stress of work and tasks that we forget to have fun. Sometimes things in our relationships don’t go as we’d hoped. Sometimes these things not only make us a little cranky…but we may also become withdrawn…or forget our dreams, how to relax & have fun…or even feel our self-worth slipping away.

When all this happens, we lose our spark. That little twinkle in our eye that tells the world we’re ready to take it on, and that it better watch out, because you’ve got some mischief up your sleeve!

It can be hard to get it back, that lovely little glint…but we can get it back. It could be as simple as hearing the right song, or string of songs, on the radio (or whatever musical device you happen to be listening to). It could be taking a few days to reconnect with old friends. It could just be getting away for a couple hours of peace and quiet so you can actually have an uninterrupted thought. A movie line, a song lyric, an incredibly astute comment by…anyone.

It can happen in many ways, sometimes we seek it out, other times it just smacks us upside the head and lets us know it’s back. lol Whatever the case, if that sparkle shows up, you’d better hang on to that sucker! That spark is what helps us to feel ALIVE! It’s what helps us find the humor in even the darkest of situations. It’s what attracts Joy into our lives.

My sparkle ran away for a few days…partly because I had to say farewell to someone I’d prefer was physically in my proximity on a day to day basis (aka: Bestest Friend in All the Land), partly due to being deficient in Vitamin D. I found it today. I upped my vitamin D, heard some of my jams on the way to work, and realized that he may be far away, but he’s always with me (So close, no matter how far…). Besides, he just recently got his own sparkle back…and remembering the glint reappearing in the eyes of my personal scoundrel (It’s a term of endearment, promise, lol) well, it made me smile. I was being a little selfish…a bit of a pouty pixie, to be honest, and I had to remind myself that everything isn’t about me.

So, if your life has gotten to be a little lackluster, start trying to see if you can find your sparkle. Trust me, it will make a WORLD of difference. ?

This week it’s time to examine the structure of our lives, and figure out what it is we need to proceed along our path. Crayfish reminds us that, while structure is good and necessary to live a healthy and fulfilling life, it can also be confining and stifle our growth.

If you’re starting to feel like you’re under a lot of pressure and the walls are closing in on you, it isn’t time to retreat inside yourself, it’s time to bust the hell out of your confinement and partake of a little growth.

When busting out of your shell, however, be sure to take stock of all you have learned to this point, and retain that which can help you as you continue on your journey. While it isn’t necessarily time to hide from the world, this process of continued Transformation and Metamorphosis, it would be prudent to exercise a little caution, as all change brings about a period of vulnerability as we become acclimated to our “new normal”. When in this vulnerable state, we have a tendency to glom on to anything that offers us comfort…but choose your sources of comfort carefully, as now would be a time when it would be very easy to fall into bad habits (old or new).

And, since, what would a post be without a Pixie Pop Culture Reference – I’m gonna share the song that was running through my head as I wrote this (the song as a whole may not be exactly relevant…but the chorus isn’t leaving my brain…so I’m putting it in yours…you’re welcome).

My Interpretation: Remember all that Fluctuation from last week? I’m sure you do, as the world as a whole went ’round the bend so to speak…and, at least on my own personal front, things have been a bit topsy-turvy as well (Not really bad, but it made for an interesting week). The appearance of the dreaded Tower means things will continue to be challenging in the week ahead. The only consolation I have at the moment, is that the Tower is reversed, which suggests any upheaval won’t be as sharp and drastic as it has been…but it will be just one more thing added to your pile. I feel that on a global scale this card is commenting more on the surge of irrational fear that has swelled in the hearts – and out of the mouths – of many in reaction to last week’s wide spread tragedies. On a personal level, it could be alluding to this…but is more likely pointing out that bit that keeps creeping into your head regarding a possible outcome to a worrisome situation. The Tower Reversed also suggests things are beginning to settle down, at least for the interim. So you should at least be able to catch your breath.

Luckily, two cards were pulled today, and the second one gives us an idea of how to proceed. The Shaman reminds us that we have other senses, and that sometimes relying on our eyes and ears alone doesn’t give us an accurate assessment of a situation. It’s time to take a step back, to observe, to go within, and to open your mind to the possibility that things are not always as they seem. Granted, spending your time all secluded like, and having an entire week of “soul searching me time” isn’t exactly what we can all do right now. Y’know with the whole family having, and the job doing, so we can do the bill paying and the eating (especially with the U.S. Turkey Day towards the tail end of this challenging week) that we all must take care of. The Shaman is more telling us to have a bit of discretion in our dealings and encounters this week. Take things in, rather than react. Chew on a notion for a bit before deciding what you think of it…or the person that conveyed it. Is there perhaps a reason they feel the way they do? Is it a reason that can at least help you to see how they could come to that conclusion? Basically, do not react rashly…especially since many of us will be in close proximity to large groups of family and friends in the coming week. Be sure to take time to decompress, and process. You just might learn something about yourself, others, society, or even your spirituality. What you learn may even help you through whatever it is The Tower has in store.

Some of you may be confused by the title of this post, but as most of you awesome readers are pagans, I think you’ll get what I mean by this.

I like to look at endings as beginnings that’ve gotten a bad rap. Think about it. A birth is the beginning of life, but also the end of a pregnancy. Ends are simply transitions and/or transformations. We simply move on to another state of being. This holds true whether we are talking a change in careers, a change in marital status, or a change from corporeal life to ethereal life.

That’s something to keep in mind this time of year. Not only are we currently in the midst of a seasonal transition…but as Samhain approaches it becomes much easier to catch a glimpse at the ethereal side of life as the veil between this world and the next becomes quite thin.

You may also want to mull the concept over if you’re going through something that traditionally feels like an end. Examine the situation and find the positives. What new thing has (or could) come out of this “ending”? What opportunities await you as you embark on this new leg of your life’s journey?

The Pixie commands thee to find that silver lining!! lol

Anyway, here’s a few quotes to drive home what I’m talking about…the first one is the one that sparked this little Ramble Train. It’s a little something that was stated by the Master of Horror, and my favorite author, Stephen King! 😀

“Life is like a wheel. Sooner or later,

it always come around to where you started again.”

Stephen King

“Our life is an apprenticeship to the truth that around every circle another can be drawn; that there is no end in nature, but every end is a beginning, and under every deep a lower deep opens.”

Life has gotten in the way again, and for that I apologize, but I did pull a card on Friday, and I will now clue you in to what the vibe is for this week (hey, better late than never, right??).

Divination Method: The Goddess Guidance Oracle

Card(s) Drawn: Hathor

Key Word(s): Receptivity

Basic Message: “Allow yourself to receive. This will increase your intuition, energy, and ability to give to others.”

My Interpretation: We give, give, give, and give some more…yet forget that sometimes we also need to get a little something for ourselves. Once again…this week is about finding a balance. It’s perfectly natural, and OK, to want to help and nurture others. In fact, it’s pretty awesome to do so…but sometimes YOU’RE the one that needs to be taken care of, and it would be in your best interest to be open to it…or perhaps even request it.

Being receptive to receiving energy – whether in the form of help, advice, nurturing, or straight up energy – helps us to be open to receiving other things as well. When we are receptive, we are more likely to hear the messages that our Spirit Guides, Deities, and even our Ancestors have to share with us.

This is the time to listen. Be still, and open those ears! Let go of any guilt you may be feeling about the help and support you need, it only weighs you down. Receiving help, guidance and nurturing with an open heart that is not weighed down with guilt allows you to acknowledge it as the wonderful gift that it is.

This week’s vibe is one of healing, growth, and learning so, during this time, ask for the help you need.

Hathor also indicates that the time is ripe for experiencing a boost in psychic abilities… so keep listening for what is coming through the ever-thinning veil as we get one week closer to Samhain.

Remember to breathe…remember to not close yourself off…remember to listen…

My Interpretation: Pele is the Hawaiian Goddess of fire, lightning, and volcanoes. Her fiery disposition may frighten some, but her realm is that of Passion & Change. She is known as “She who shapes the sacred land”, and this is evident by the ever-changing landscape of the Hawaiian Islands, which were formed and re-shaped by her abundant lava flows.

So, what does this mean for you? Well, Pele’s vibe is a primal one. She is literally one with the ebbs and flows of nature, and her message is one of burning away the excess…burying the old (as lava does)…and following the flow of your passion to your heart’s desire.

You’re desires have been lying dormant long enough…they have built up, and will no longer stand to be kept bottled up. It is time to connect with your inner most desires and do what is needed to make them a reality. Do not continue to put your needs aside for the sake of others, for the longer you wait, the more violent the eruption will be when your needs can wait no more.

Things to ponder during the coming week: Does your career match your passions? Is there a class you wish to take? Is there a hobby you wish to pursue? Is the rhythm of your life in sync with the inner rhythms of yourself? Where do you want to go? Who do you want to spend time with? What do you want to do? And then there’s this quote from an adorably cheesy Tom Hanks movie, Joe Versus the Volcano:

So, are you awake? Or are you asleep?

Now is the time to figure it out. Figure out what you want, what you need, and make the necessary changes. Change can be scary…and sometimes it can be quite disruptive….but the end results are often beautiful, especially when they occur to because we have aligned the sacred drum-beat of our souls with that of the primal rhythms of the Universe…those kinds of changes ultimately bring us peace…and constant amazement.

I saw something on Pinterest yesterday that really jumped out at me. It said “Forgive them even if they’re not sorry”. It seems I needed the reminder. It’s difficult though…forgiving someone can sometimes feel like defeat, especially if the offending party has no remorse for whatever it is that they’ve done or said (or NOT done or said). However, the truth of the matter is, you don’t forgive for the sake of others…you forgive for the sake of yourself.

Sometimes it’s an exercise in compassion (See Giles Quote from the Buffy-verse below). If you take the time to learn the reasons or circumstances that have led the person to behave or act in a certain manner…if you can at least see the situation from their point of view, it may not change your opinion about the terribleness of said deed, but if you can at least understand what brought them to that course of action, it is easier to forgive them and let it go.

To forgive is an act of compassion…it’s not done because people deserve it, it’s done because they need it.”

RUPERT GILES, Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Grudges do not serve those who hold them, they poison the soul. They take hold and breed distrust and insecurities about ourselves and others. Seriously, who the hell needs that?!?! Nobody says you have to stay friends, or in a relationship, or talk to whomever it is that hurt you…deciding that has nothing to do with forgiveness, that’s a separate matter. Forgiving them lightens the burden on your soul, thus allowing you to continue on and lead a happy life.

This also applies to yourself. Did you totally screw something up? Lie to someone? Make a bad choice? Flub up a presentation or project? Well, guess what? I know you’re awesome and everything, but here’s a little secret: You’re also human. Aaaaand Now, I’m hearing Human League in my head: “I’m only human. Of flesh and blood I’m made. Human….born to make mistakes”. It’s sappy 80’s cheese, but I LOVE IT! Besides, they make a hugely valid point. We all make mistakes, so why dwell on them?

Forgiveness doesn’t mean being a doormat….because who says you have to hate someone forever?? Hopefully nobody, because that doesn’t do anybody any good.

I’ll leave you with this…a couple years ago I watched a talk His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama gave that was streamed live via the internet (don’t you just LOVE technology???). Anyway, during this talk, he said that forgiveness is not to accept the wrongdoing of others….and that retaining feelings of anger, hatred and stress do more harm to YOU than they do to those you are harboring them towards. Then he defined what forgiveness really is, and that definition will be my final word on the subject (for today, at least).

My Interpretation: Air surrounds and connects us all…it is the invisible link between you and that special person in your life that lives far away, as well as someone you do not know. We cannot see it, and often forget about it, but we cannot live without it. It can fuel and extinguish Fire, create waves upon the Water that travel and crash upon distant shores, and carry seeds to where they shall take root and grow in the Earth. So, you see, for something that often goes unnoticed…Air is a pretty big freaking deal.

As Air is the realm of thought, communication, and the mind; we know that our focus for the coming week will also fall within this realm.

You know how when it’s remarkably hot and humid…no breeze at all, and you feel as though Air has become non-existent… Then, suddenly there is a rush of wind – just slightly cooler in temperature – that bursts through the trees, caresses your skin, fills your lungs, and somehow reinvigorates you?? Well, that’s what this is about.

A refreshing breeze is making it’s way through, and is inviting you to mindfully inhale deeply and take in the energy you need to reinvigorate yourself and to align your thoughts with your intentions.

Mindfulness is key here. Thinking is something we do all the time, often without notice…much like breathing. The brain runs all its processes whether we’re conscious of them or not. Breathing happens whether we’re conscious of it or not. Becoming mindful of both your thoughts AND your breathing, however, makes both much more fulfilling, meaningful, and productive. When we are mindful of our thoughts we become aware of the effect they are having on ourselves and others, as well as situations in our lives and the world around us.

Inhale the Breath of the Universe and follow it deep within…take a look at what you find and take note of what you like, what you don’t, and what you would like to change.

Thoughts are things, and we create and bring things to manifest with them every day. Are you manifesting what you need? Or are your thoughts betraying you, bringing about situations that are disruptive to your life? Call upon Air to guide your focus to the thoughts that will help you manifest your goals.

It is time to feed your mind with all that Air has to offer, decide what it is you want to create, and spend some time in the great outdoors. Be open and listen to the wind…breathe in the fresh air, and listen…listen to the messages that are being carried to you…listen and you may find something very special in the air: Clarity.

Clarity is a powerful gift that Air can bestow upon us.

With Clarity of Thought you truly have the power to…wait for it….

You didn’t really think you were getting out of here without being subjected to some pop-culture stuff and/or geekery….did ya?? 😉

My take on this card: This coming week is filled with opportunity. It is not, however filled with patience. It is the time to Seize the Day, Jump at the Chance, Lose Yourself in that special moment, Say Yes to the Dress…you get the idea. The thing you need to keep in mind is, should Opportunity come a-knockin’ you need to decide on the spot. Either snag the chance to do whatever, or risk missing out and having yet another moment to make you want to travel back in time and kick yourself in the arse (Hey, we’ve all got those moments, but why add another one to the pile???)

The image on this card includes a Knight standing in a river…he represents that opportunity that comes around…the river suggests that things shall be moving quickly and that things will have a deep spiritual and emotional impact.

This nifty little card also holds the image of an apple tree and….AN OTTER!! 😀 Both of these images are related to knowledge and wisdom. Apples are known as the “fruit of knowledge” and, in Irish Celtic lore, otters are known as guides and guardians of spiritual knowledge & wisdom.

All in all, it would seem that the recurring theme of my Wednesday Wisdom posts has been preparing us for the coming week. With that in mind, I shall leave you with a message that is on a new pair of socks I purchased while on vacation last week…as it should pretty much be everyone’s mantra next week.

“You better lose yourself, in the music, the moment, you own it. You better never let it go. You only get one shot. Do not miss your chance to blow. This opportunity comes once in a lifetime.” Eminem (aka: Marshall Mathers)

I love this song. It is in your face, it is infectious, and it has a powerful message.

Every moment is an opportunity to push past your fears and do something remarkable. Even if you’ve screwed up in the past. Hell, especially if you’ve screwed up in the past.

I know, my wisdom has all been very similar lately. But, y’know what??? It’s because the message is important. There’s something to be said for letting go…for pushing outside of your comfort zone…for losing yourself in the music, and/or the moment.

Now that I think about it; losing yourself in the moment, dancing to some fantastic music…TRULY letting yourself go can even lead to a trance state and spiritual experiences (Here’s a brief explanation of Ecstatic Dance, it can be pretty amazing)

So, go ahead. Lose yourself, in the music. Right frikkin now. I’ve even included the music for you. If for some reason you’re not an Eminem fan, go ahead and pick another song….but….I’m not sure we can be friends anymore. 😉 LOL (I’m kidding!…sorta…)